Refugees and Migration

Special Calendar Dates

Of the 22.5 million refugees in the world today, 2.6 million have been "warehoused," in camps or segregated settlements while many more live in urban areas in poverty or in informal housing. In camps, refugees live in crowded conditions in some of the most remote and inhospitable living conditions. Refugees are not allowed to grow their own food in the camps. Nor are they allowed to earn an income for their labor in most host countries. They survive on meager food rations and water that is trucked in or wells which are dug for them. Waiting in line for water is a major activity of the day. Tents and temporary structures become permanent homes. Safety is not assured. Refugee camps are not safe places to raise a family and yet many children are born there. While refugees wait for the opportunity to return home, locally integrate or be resettled, they stagnate, become dependent, lack stimulation, lose motivation and even hope resulting in a tremendous waste of human potential.

There were 25.4 million refugees worldwide in 2017, 19.9 million under the mandate of UNHCR. The other 5.4 million Palestinian refugees are registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

During the year, conflict and persecution forced an average of 44,400 persons per day to leave their homes and seek protection elsewhere, either within the borders of their countries or in other countries.

In 2017, the country hosting the largest number of refugees is Turkey, with 3.5 million refugees. Syria is the biggest source country. 57% of all refugees come from just 3 countries: Syria, Afghanistan, and South Sudan.

In 2017, 52% of refugees were under 18 years old. Refugee women and girls account for nearly half of the refugee population.